Long(er) Range Non-Magnum Build - .243 or .260/6.5 CM?

[Hawk45]

Have several .223s and a .308, but I want something that is still fun to shoot but can reach out a bit farther (1200-1500yd) to hit steel/rocks/paper. I know I could go Magnum and be done, but even reloading, it gets expensive fast and the recoil is less pleasant in a 10 lb rifle (I don't want this to be a heavy bench gun, more of a midweight setup).

I've been looking to start with a factory gun and get used to the setup, then once I have a good feel for the gun and what it can do, rebarrel for optimal needs (SLR, Ackley, etc).

So I have it down to either the .243 with 90-105gr pills or a 260/6.5 CM shooting 139-142gr pills.
I know the .243 will be harder on barrels if I don't keep it cool, but the ballistics of those little flat shooting rounds compared to the bigger 6.5 is pretty impressive.

So do I give the .243 a try or go with one of the 6.5 variants for this mid-weight target gun?

Thanks,
Hawk

 

[Catfish]

The 6.5 will let you get bullets with a higher BC, but they are more prone to rickochet. If you go with the 243 you can play with it for a while then bring it up to Sidney and we can run in a chamber reamer for a 6-284 or a 6mm on the 300 WSM case. I would highly recomand you get a Savage action if your planning on switching barrels because they are so easy to head space.

 

[Hawk45]

Yeah, I'm going Savage all the way. I've done a few builds in the past and though I wish the actions were a bit less clunky (they are no Tikka) they always seem to be shooters. And I find being able to change my barrels invaluable.

A 6mm in a 300WSM necked down??!! Holy jeepers! Is that going over 4000fps?!

 

[Dgd6mm]

Joe Hendricks - 6MM Competition Match will do it.

 

[mj2evans]

Never had a chance to shoot the ranges you are talking about but I put a Shilen 243AI on a Savage and it shoots in the .3s at 100 yds with 105 AMax (not a pro benchrest rig - just me having fun at range). Its a tight neck and involves case forming but sure can't argue the accuracy of the 243.